Eight to be interviewed for Pickerington Local superintendent's post

The Pickerington Board of Education, with help from a private consultant, has identified eight candidates to be interviewed initially for the district's superintendent position.

Following an announcement last week that 14 people had applied to replace outgoing Pickerington Local School District Superintendent Rob Walker, district officials Friday, April 4, said eight candidates have been selected to be interviewed.

The board narrowed its pool after five new applicants emerged last week.

The newly identified candidates were Firelands Local School District Superintendent (Lorain County) Robert F. Hill, Northeastern Local School District (Springfield) Superintendent Lou Kramer, Grandview Heights City School District Superintendent Edward O'Reilly, Gahanna-Jefferson Public School District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer Francis Robert Scruci and North Union Local School District (Richwood) Superintendent Rick Smith.

Kramer, O'Reilly, Scruci and Smith each were expected to be interviewed by the board Monday, April 7, according to a press release from K-12 Business Consulting Inc., a firm the district is paying up to $11,500 to assist with the superintendent search.

* George J. Joseph, Worthington City School District executive director of administrative services.

* Jennifer Penczarski, Kenton City School District (Hardin County) superintendent.

"We are pleased to report a number of very qualified individuals have submitted formal applications and required credentials for the position of superintendent," K-12 representatives Christopher Mohr and Dennis Leone stated in an April 3 memo to the school board. "K-12 Business Consulting would like to commend the members of the board for the time they spent studying the credentials of the candidates."

Last month, Pickerington School Board President Jim Brink said the board might make a selection in May, but he said the time line was contingent on the interview and contract negotiation processes.

Walker, who took over as Pickerington superintendent in August 2012, announced in February he planned to retire effective Aug. 1. Has been in education for 37 years.

At the time of his retirement announcement, Walker said he needed to step down to focus more time on his family and health.

Walker receives an annual salary of $135,000 and an additional $75,498 in benefits compensation for things such as health insurance and vehicle allowances.

According to information on the Pickerington website, the board anticipates paying the new superintendent a base salary of $125,000 to $150,000, along with a "competitive benefits package."